The World Cup may be over, but the president of the Norwegian Football Federation still doesn’t think one particular situation was addressed properly and is taking action.
Lise Klaveness told The Times of London she’s asking her board to pursue a formal ethics complaint regarding USMNT striker Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension overturn.
She urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to admit that suspending Balogun’s one-game ban was an “error” and added the decision was influenced by external pressure.
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
“When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk,” Klaveness said. “It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game.
“First of all, it should not have happened. It is very important now to have honest communication around it. We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process.
“If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behaviour and the organisation’s behaviour, and also the red line of what states’ leaders should interfere with. And that happened.”
After Balogun was served a red card in the USMNT’s Round of 32 game against Bosnia-Herzegovina for stepping on a player’s ankle, he was initially suspended for one game.
But FIFA then overturned the decision, allowing Balogun to play in the USMNT’s round of 16 clash against Belgium, which it lost 4-1.
FIFA overturning the move came after U.S. President Donald Trump contacted Infantino, and the organization cited its Article 27 code of discipline, which states FIFA can “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
President Donald Trump (c) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (l). USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation. FIFA via Getty Images
Klaveness also expressed frustration with how the decision to overturn Balogun’s suspension was made by just one person in FIFA disciplinary committee chair Mohammad Al Kamali.
“When there has been an external, very powerful voice in your ear, it’s very important you have more voices making the decision,” Klaveness told the outlet. “If you don’t, it’s a mistake.”